Brian J Gillette

Brian J Gillette

4.6
Rating: 10.0

Licensed for 33 years

Social Security & Disability Lawyer at Williamsburg, VA
Practice Areas: Social Security, Administrative Law

3917 Midlands Rd Ste 200, Williamsburg, VA

About Brian

Biography

Practice Areas

2

Practice Areas

Administrative Law 15%

Virginia Retirement System (VRS) Disability Retirement Claims

17 years

15%

Fees and Rates

Cost

Free Consultation

$0 first 30 minutes

Contingency

25%-40%


Payment Methods

  • Cash
  • Check

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Licenses

Licensed in Virginia for 32 years

State: Virginia

Acquired: 1993

Active

No misconduct found

Licensed in District of Columbia for 32 years

State: District of Columbia

Acquired: 1993

Good Standing

No misconduct found

Licensed in Maryland for 33 years

State: Maryland

Acquired: 1992

Active

No misconduct found

Location

Gillette Law Group, PLLC

3917 Midlands Rd Ste 200, Williamsburg, VA, 23188

Gillette Law Group, PLLC

13195 Warwick Blvd, Suite 2-B, Newport News, VA, 23602

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Brian J Gillette's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

4.6 /5.0

29 Client Reviews

Posted by Mark | July 30, 2025 | Consulted Attorney

This review is from a potential client who consulted with this attorney.

Poor Customer service

emailed firm with a description of my case, they replied that they would have someone contact me within 24 hours. Waited 2 days, tried again, this time no reply. Poor work practices.

Posted by Mr. Vaughn | July 24, 2023 | Consulted Attorney

This review is from a potential client who consulted with this attorney.

Wealth of Information!

Mr. Gillette is well-versed in assisting those needing representation with Social Security benefits and was there when my wife and I needed sound advice. We very much appreciate the time he took to expand on our options!

Posted by Mary | March 23, 2021 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

This is the legal team to choose

From my first phone call to the last call Brian Gillette and his legal team couldn't have meet better expectations. From being kind compassionate and caring to being extremely knowledgeable about the ins and outs of my legal case this team was excellent from the start. They did not drop the ball a si...ngle time and out paced any lawyers I have dealt with previously. Mr. Gillette picked up my case in the middle after my original lawyers dropped me and he hit the ground running. I knew I had chosen the right legal team when in my hearing Mr Gillette argued hard to keep evidence in the case that the judge wanted to throw out and he won that first battle. I was beyond happy to hear that he not only won that battle but won the whole case for me especially after he had to play catch up from my previous lawyers dropping me. I can say with all honesty that from the first phone call I had more and better communication and information from this legal team than I had in more than a year of dealing with my previous legal team. I highly recommend Brian Gillette and Gillette Law Group for your legal needs. They have won me as a client for my legal needs for life, and I dont even live in the same city. Mr. Gillette was able to work with me, play catch up, get all of my information in a very short amount of time and win my case, all remotely. We accomplished everything over the telephone and I could not be more pleased at the outcome. Five stars isnt enough. And not just for Mr. Gillette, but for his legal team as well. Their communication and dedication to working with me was excellent and in my opinion exceptional as well. My case was a difficult disability case, dropped by my first lawyers and won by mr Gillette. I absolutely recommend this team.

Posted by anonymous | December 31, 2020 | Consulted Attorney

This review is from a potential client who consulted with this attorney.

Professional law group

Professional and reliable disability attorney. I would recommend to all my friends and family.

Posted by anonymous | December 30, 2020 | Consulted Attorney

This review is from a potential client who consulted with this attorney.

Disability Lawyer

Brian is very knowledgeable and fights for his clients. I do not practice disability law so I always refer people to his practice. He has a great team and will be honest and upfront about results. If your looking for a disability lawyer he is the best around.

See All Client Reviews

Brian J Gillette's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Brian
Brian James Smalls headshot
Brian Smalls

Social Security & Disability lawyer | Feb 16

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Brian is a great attorney. Whenever someone needs assistance in his areas of practice, he is the only lawyer I refer clients to. He's patient and easy to work with, and most importantly he gets the results clients desire. I fully endorse Brian Gillette!"

Wayne Edmond Holcomb headshot
Wayne Holcomb

Social Security & Disability lawyer | Jan 19

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. Brian is professional, but also approachable, a rare combination. Brian is the type of lawyer that you would send your family to and never have a second thought."

Jonathan L Katz headshot
Jonathan Katz

Personal injury lawyer | Apr 23

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I have known Brian since 1998. I know him to be a very knowledgeable, able and personable lawyer who is dedicated to his clients. I endorse his services."

Joseph Aaron Miller headshot
Joseph Miller

Social Security & Disability lawyer | May 30

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. You cannot find a harder working lawyer than Brian. He is incredibly resourceful when it comes to resolving these cases and pretty much anything else you need to know. If you have an SSDI case on the Peninsula, or a Military Disability case, Brian Gillette is your man."

Paul J. Tafelski headshot
Paul Tafelski

Social Security & Disability lawyer | Jan 02

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Brian is a very sharp attorney. He does good work."

Jim Hurley headshot
Jim Hurley

Social Security & Disability lawyer | Jul 21

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

Edrie Arlene Pfeiffer headshot
Edrie Pfeiffer

Social Security & Disability lawyer | Jul 21

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I have know Brian for about 3 years. He is a very knowledgeable attorney with a deep concern for his clients. I regularly refer individuals to him for assistance with Social Security Disability."

Donna L. Wilson headshot
Donna Wilson

Social Security & Disability lawyer | Mar 21

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

Darley Marie Richard headshot
Darley Richard

Social Security & Disability lawyer | May 20

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I fully endorse Brian Gillette. He and I often have clients who could benefit from each other's services, and I never hesitate to recommend Brian to clients seeking Social Security help. Brian is also a stand-up guy in the community and a great mentor to other lawyers and business owners."

Katherine Wilcox Carter headshot
Katherine Wilcox Carter

Social Security & Disability lawyer | Jan 19

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Brian is an excellent attorney practicing in social security disability. If you're looking for someone to represent you, whether before or after your case has been denied, talk to Brian."

Jason Daniel Quick headshot
Jason Quick

Social Security & Disability lawyer | Sep 01

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Based on his outstanding resume and consistently thoughtful responses to questions on the Avvo forum, I believe Mr. Gillette is an excellent choice for any claimant looking for a Social Security attorney in Virginia or North Carolina. Anyone fortunate enough to retain him is in good hands."

William W Housley headshot
William Housley

Litigation lawyer | Jul 09

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. Tough, talented and thorough litigator."

Michael John Rogers Jr. headshot
Michael Rogers

Social Security & Disability lawyer | Jun 14

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. Attorney Gillette is an outstanding attorney whom I highly recommend."

Vance Tate Davis headshot
Vance Davis

Social Security & Disability lawyer | Jun 01

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. Mr. Gillette is a highly experienced lawyer as is demonstrated by his Avvo rating and his many fine contributions to the Avvo Q&A forum. Any client lucky enough to have Mr. Gillette on the case is in very good hands."

Samuel K Silverman headshot
Samuel Silverman

Social Security & Disability lawyer | Apr 22

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer.Attorney Gillette offers great advice regarding Social Security Disability claims. He is clearly a great asset to anyone in need of an attorney to help with such a claim. I endorse him 100%."

Karim K Arzadi headshot
Karim Arzadi

Litigation lawyer | Apr 15

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. As his other endorsements indicate clearly, Mr. Gilette is well-respected by his peers, inclusing adversary attorneys."

Angela Davis-Morris headshot
Angela Davis-Morris

Social Security & Disability lawyer | Apr 06

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Brian is a brilliant lawyer and a very approachable, personable individual. He is very intuitive and knows how to illicit the information he can use to help his disabled clients gain their disability benefits. I can not recommend him more highly."

Shannon Carmel Forrest headshot
Shannon Forrest

Social Security & Disability lawyer | Feb 05

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

James Mitchell Brown headshot
James Brown

Social Security & Disability lawyer | Feb 04

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"Brian is passionate about helping his clients. He is dedicated to getting evidence and doing whatever is necessary to prove that his clients are entitled to the benefits they deserve Any client that retains Brian Gillette will be well represented.."

Jay S Marks headshot
Jay Marks

Personal injury lawyer | Feb 03

Relationship: Co-worker

"Brian Gillette is smart, aggressive, and tough. He fights insurance company abuse of folks who are injured and at their most vulnerable. He is a terrific lawyer and a great person. I heartily endorse him."

View All Endorsements
Damon Robert Miller headshot
Damon Miller

Insurance lawyer

Jonathan L Katz headshot
Jonathan Katz

Criminal defense lawyer

Daniel Charles Gasink headshot
Daniel Gasink

Estate planning lawyer

Jaleh Khorram Slominski headshot
Jaleh Slominski

Workers compensation lawyer

Joseph Aaron Miller headshot
Joseph Miller

Workers compensation lawyer

William P. Akers headshot
William Akers

Criminal defense lawyer

Jim Hurley headshot
Jim Hurley

Personal injury lawyer

Darley Marie Richard headshot
Darley Richard

Criminal defense lawyer

Brian James Smalls headshot
Brian Smalls

Estate planning lawyer

Katherine Wilcox Carter headshot
Katherine Wilcox Carter

Divorce and separation lawyer

Edrie Arlene Pfeiffer headshot
Edrie Pfeiffer

Chapter 7 bankruptcy lawyer

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John Gardner

Criminal defense lawyer

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Radlyn Mendoza

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Wayne Edmond Holcomb headshot
Wayne Holcomb

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Shannon Carmel Forrest headshot
Shannon Forrest

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Angela Davis-Morris headshot
Angela Davis-Morris

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Experience

Rating:  10.0 (Superb)

Honors

2016

Top Contributor, AVVO

2016

Best of Coastal Virginia Award Winner, Coastal Virginia Magazine

2016

Clients' Choice Award, AVVO

2015

Client Distinction Award, Martindale-Hubbell

2015

Top Contributor, AVVO

2015

Best of Coastal Virginia Award Winner, Coastal Virginia Magazine

2015

Top Lawyers of Coastal Virginia, Coastal Virginia Magazine

2015

Clients' Choice Award, AVVO

1989

Scholastic Achievement and Excellence, Golden Key National Honor Society

Work Experience

2007 - Present

Managing Attorney, Gillette Law Group, PLLC

2020 - 2021

Adjunct Faculty, William & Mary School Of Law

1999 - 2007

Attorney, Huffman & Huffman

1995 - 1999

Attorney, Greenberg & Bederman, LLP

1993 - 1995

Attorney, Lloyd J. Eisenberg & Associates

Associations

2018 - Present

Williamsburg Bar Association

Membership Coordinator

2018 - Present

National Association of Disability Representatives

Member

2015 - Present

Virginia Trial Lawyers Association

Member, Membership Committee

2015 - Present

Bon Secours Mary Immaculate Foundation

Board Member

2012 - Present

Virginia Trial Lawyers Association, Social Security Section

Chair

2012 - Present

Virginia Trial Lawyers Association

Board of Governors

2012 - Present

Virginia Trial Lawyers Association, Legislative Committee

Member

2009 - Present

National Organization of Social Security Claimants Representatives

Sustaining Member

2008 - Present

Center for Child and Family Services, Inc.

Board Member

2015 - 2016

Knights of Columbus, St. Bede Council 6828

Lecturer

2012 - 2019

Center for Child and Family Services, Inc.

Chairman, Board of Directors

2008 - 2015

Knights of Columbus, St. Bede Council 6828

Advocate

Sample of Legal Cases

Virginia Retirement System (VRS) Disability Retirement Benefits Claim 15-00287

Initial Application for Virginia Retirment System (VRS) Disability Retirement Benefits Approved

Virginia Retirement System (VRS) Disability Retirement Benefits Claim 15-00016

Disability Retirement Benefits Awarded

Disability Insurance Benefits and SSI Claim 13-00084

Fully Favorable

Disability Insurance Benefits and SSI Claim 14-00018

Fully Favorable

Disability Insurance Benefits Claim 15-00003

Favorable Decision on Initial Application

Disability Insurance Benefits and SSI Claim 14-00114

Partially Favorable Decision at Hearing

Disability Insurance Benefits and SSI Claim 14-00026

Fully Favorable

Disability Insurance Benefits and SSI Claim 14-00104

Partially Favorable Decision on Reconsideration

Disability Insurance Benefits Claim 14-00108

Partially Favorable Decision on Initial Application

Disability Insurance Benefits Claim 14-00104

Favorable Decision on Reconsideration

Disability Insurance Benefits and SSI Claim 14-00099

Favorable Decision on Initial Application

Disability Insurance Benefits Claim 14-00142

Favorable Decision on Initial Application

Disability Insurance Benefits and SSI Claim 14-00028

Fully Favorable

Disability Insurance Benefits Claim 12-00173

Fully Favorable

Supplemental Security Income Benefits Claim 12-00282

Fully Favorable

Supplemental Security Income Benefits Claim 11-00005

Fully Favorable

Disability Insurance Benefits and SSI Claim 12-00287

Fully Favorable

Disability Insurance Benefits and SSI Claim 12-00235

Fully Favorable

Disability Insurance Benefits Claim 13-00118

Fully Favorable

Cessation of Disability Insurance Benefits 09-00001

Benefits Continued

Virginia Retirement System (VRS) Disability Retirement Benefits Claim 14-00172

Disability Retirement Benefits Awarded

Supplemental Security Income Benefits Claim 12-00315

Fully Favorable

Disability Insurance Benefits and SSI Claim 13-00107

Fully Favorable

Disability Insurance Benefits and SSI Claim 14-00189

Fully Favorable

Virginia Retirement System (VRS) Disability Retirement Benefits Claim 14-00015

Disability Retirement Benefits Awarded

Virginia Retirement System (VRS) Disability Retirement Benefits Claim 13-00188

Disability Retirement Benefits Awarded

Disability Insurance Benefits and SSI Claim 12-00145

Fully Favorable

Disability Insurance Benefits and SSI Claim 12-00223

Fully Favorable

See More Legal Cases

Education

1992

College of William and Mary, Marshall-Wythe School of Law

J.D.

1989

University of Maryland, College Park

BS - Bachelor of Science

Speaking Engagements

2019

2018

Virginia Peninsula Paralegal Association February 14, 2018 Membership Meeting Slaying the Medical Records Paper Dragon: Using the HITECH Act to reduce the cost of obtaining medical records.

2016

Virginia Peninsula Paralegal Association January 12, 2016 Membership Meeting

Social Security Disability Benefits

2015

National Alliance on Mental Illness--Williamsburg Area, Support Group Meeting The Social Security Disability Application and Appeal Process

2011

Virginia Peninsula Paralegal Association February 8, 2011 Membership Meeting

Social Security Disability Benefits

Publications

Languages

English

Activity

Avvo Rating

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What determines Avvo Rating?
  • Experience & background Years licensed, work experience, education
  • Legal community recognition Peer endorsements, associations, awards
  • Legal thought leadership Publications, speaking engagements
  • Discipline Disciplinary information may not be comprehensive, or updated. We recommend that you always check a lawyer's disciplinary status with their respective state bar association before hiring them.
Avvo Rating Levels
10.0 - 9.0 Superb8.9 - 8.0 Excellent7.9 - 7.0 Very Good6.9 - 6.0 Good5.9 - 5.0 Average4.9 - 4.0 Concern3.9 - 3.0 Caution2.9 - 2.0 Strong Caution1.9 - 1.0 Extreme Caution